A: With our various productions, there is never a set time in which we receive new information. One show may send us information early in the morning, and our other shows may send us information late in the evening. Sometimes productions change what they’re looking for, so even if you think we’ve already finished casting, we may have new information up. We specify the day and time at the beginning of our casting announcements, so you’ll know if we’ve changed the hotline. If you’re not calling every day – and throughout the day – you may be missing out on the perfect opportunity for you.

Q:How often will I be working?

A: How often you’re working depends on what our productions are looking for and how many background they need each day. Remember, even if you submit for a role you feel you are PERFECT for, there are also other actors out there who may fit the role as well. Consistent work is never a guarantee in the entertainment industry, so it is not likely one can work everyday. But if productions are busy, a person can work two or three times a week. If there is not much production happening, there will not be as much work available on our lines. In other words how often you work depends on how much production there is and HOW OFTEN YOU SUBMIT.

Q:How long after I submit will I hear back from Jeff Olan Casting?

A: Depending on the project, if you are selected for the project, it can be a matter of fifteen minutes or a few hours. In the case of a shoot that will happen in a few days, you may hear from us in a couple of days rather than immediately. Do not feel that you have to wait around for our agency to call you back; it is more important that a person secures work even if it is with another agency than it is to wait for us. However, once you accept a booking from us, we expect you to keep it.

Q:I submitted right after the casting notice was posted on the line, but I didn’t hear back. Why?

A: Roles are not booked ‘first come, first served.’ Submitting right after a role was posted does not guarantee you the role. We must cast the right person for the right role. If a role is “for photo submission,” we may be waiting on the production office to tell us whom they’ve chosen.

Q:What does “for photo submission” mean?

A: When the production wants to see photos, we say “for photo submission.” This means that instead of the casting directors choosing you, the director of the TV show or movie handpicks whom she or he wants for the role.

Q:Will Jeff Olan Casting ever call me?

A: If you fit a role we’re seeking to fill, absolutely! But remember, there are thousands of other actors in our files – the actors who call the hotline regularly, update their photo at least once a year, and are professional on our sets stand out in our minds. No one in our files should depend on our agency calling you, but if you call in regularly, it is easier for us to keep you in mind when we need someone for the right part.

Q:Does Jeff Olan Casting ever text or send e-mails for work?

A: We only cast via phone calls – we believe in communicating directly.

Q:What if I have a call-in service?

A: If you have a call-in service, you still need to call our hotline and submit yourself. If chosen, we will call you and ask you if you are still available. At that point, you should say, “I need to check with my call-in service. May I call you right back?” – and then call your service to find out if you are booked for the day in question. If you are not, tell your service to book you out for that day so you can accept the job from us. Your call-in service will understand and it saves them the time of having to find you work. Call us right back to let us know either way.

Q:Can I submit additional photos to Jeff Olan Casting?

A: Our casting system only holds one photo per person. There is never any need to bring us additional photos, especially hard copies like headshots. We cast off of a digital photo that we take of you in our office. If we ever need a vastly different look from the one we have on file, we will request that you e-mail us a photo in that look.

Q:How do I change information in my profile?

A: Information changes must be faxed, e-mailed, or called in. You can also visit our office during visitation hours to fill out an update form. If you just joined SAG or AFTRA, you must come in to our office during visitation hours with your SAG or AFTRA card. You may also fax or e-mail your SAG or AFTRA card (call our office to make sure we’ve received it). If you haven’t received your card yet, show us the receipt that shows you’ve paid the necessary fees and are officially a member of that union. Do not call with changes on our submission lines; we will most likely miss them, especially if you change phone numbers.

Q:Why do I need to update my photo if I look the same?

A: You may look the same but if we have a year-old photo of you, come into our office during visitation hours and ask us if you need a new photo. It is to YOUR advantage to have an updated photo. We feel more comfortable casting actors who we know what they CURRENTLY look like.

Q:My SAG or AFTRA name is different from my legal name. When I submit myself for work, which name do I use?

A: Our database will have both your union (stage) name and your legal name. If you are submitting with your stage name, please let us know that this name is your stage name. For insurance, let us know your legal name as well when you submit. However for booking purposes, some studios require that we submit your legal name for security reasons so your legal name will be put on our booking sheets to ensure you can enter the studio lot.

Q:Will I ever get a principal role on Jeff Olan Casting’s sets?

A: Most of what we cast is extras, but we have occasionally cast principal roles and they would be mentioned on our hotlines. Featured extras are common. Also, on rare occasion, extras have been upgraded on set to principal roles when production needed it.

Q:Can I meet Jeff Olan?

A: As the head of the agency, Jeff is often in production meetings, production phone calls or visiting sets. Between that time, be assured that he hears about every person who comes in to register and he always makes an effort to say hello to actors while visiting sets.

Casting questions can always be directed to any of the other casting directors in the office who can help you immediately.